Moments after helping the Boston Celtics capture the franchise’s 18th NBA championship banner, Jaylen Brown was awarded the Bill Russell trophy after being named the most valuable player of the NBA Finals. Brown graciously accepted the trophy from commissioner Adam Silver. Then, he gave a thoughtful and self-effacing remark.

“I share this with my brothers and my partner in crime Jayson Tatum,” said Brown, who has been playing alongside Tatum for seven seasons in Boston and both have absorbed a ton of criticism following three losses in the conference finals, including last year’s disappointing Game 7 loss at TD Garden to the Miami Heat.

“These last seven years have been a roller coaster, up and down. I had to listen to all the s*** that people said about me,” Tatum said.

Celtics general manager Brad Stevens had full faith in the resolve of his two superstars. He trusted that they’ll rebound from the playoff loss to the Heat and come back the following year with a vengeance. And they sure did.

Tatum and Brown played the entire 2023-24 season with massive chips on their shoulders and took out all their frustrations on the rest of the league. The Celtics blitzed through the regular season with a league-best 64 wins and lost just three games in the postseason.

“We’ve been through a lot, the losses, the expectations,” Brown told reporters. “The media have said all different types of things: We can’t play together, we are never going to win. We heard it all. But we just blocked it out, and we just kept going. I trusted him. He trusted me. And we did it together.”

Every championship team over the last four decades have had a great 1-2 punch. Tatum and Brown are the latest dynamic duo to etch their names on basketball lore. Where do Tatum and Brown rank on OneManFastBreak’s annual top-five list? Take a look at this year’s OMFB Furious Five.

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Each year OneManFastBreak.net ranks the five best players in the NBA. The OMFB Furious Five pays homage to the five styles of Chinese martial arts: snake, crane, monkey, praying mantis, and tiger.

The ranking system is based on one man’s opinion and does not follow or conform to any standard format, with more emphasis placed on how each player and their respective teams performed in the postseason. Stars are born during the regular season, but legends are made in the playoffs.

In 2023, OMFB’s Furious Five featured Jimmy Butler (5), Stephen Curry (4), Joel Embiid (3), Giannis Antetokounmpo (2), Nikola Jokic (1).

Without further ado, here are the five best basketball players in the world.

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5-JAYLEN BROWN
Boston Celtics, Guard-Forward

Brown wasn’t named to the All-NBA team or the All-Defensive team during the 2023-24 season. Think about that for a minute. The MVP of the 2024 NBA Finals and Eastern Conference finals MVP wasn’t voted on first-team, second-team or third-team All-NBA. Also, he was not named to first-team or second-team All-Defense.

To say that it was a snub was a major understatement. Brown is without a doubt one of the best two-way players in the NBA. He belongs in the top 15 on offense and top 10 on defense. He left little doubt about his status with one of the all-time great performances in the 2024 playoffs.

Against the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals, Brown averaged 29.8 points in the Celtics’ four-game sweep. Brown hit the series-defining shot in Game 1 when he drained a corner 3-pointer to send the game into overtime where Boston took control. From that point, the Pacers could never regain control of the series.

Against the Mavericks in the NBA Finals, Brown took on the defensive challenge of guarding the Dallas Mavericks’ all-world point guard Luka Doncic. He made Doncic earn every point and held the league’s best playmaker to 5.6 assists and 24% shooting from 3-point range. Brown could have easily gloated in front of the media when he had the mic during the postgame Finals pressers. But he took the high road and let his performances speak for themselves.

4-GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO
Milwaukee Bucks, Forward

A calf strain forced Giannis Antetokounmpo to watch his Bucks get eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs.

The two-time NBA MVP felt that he let his teammates down by not being on the court as the Pacers took full advantage of a Giannis-less Bucks squad and won the series in six games. Giannis vowed to do everything in his power to get his body right for the next season.

Antetokounmpo told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that missing the final 22 days of the Bucks season was one of the more difficult stretches of his 11-year career.

“I was trying to push myself and push myself and push myself to get to a place where maybe I can’t check the boxes, but maybe I can even go out there and help, but in our opinion it was not safe for me to be out there because I couldn’t run full speed,” Antetokounmpo said.

Prior to his injury, Giannis put together another outstanding season, averaging 30.4 points while shooting 61.1% from the field. The Bucks remain one of the top teams in the East, but they need a healthy Giannis to compete for a championship.

3-LUKA DONCIC
Dallas Mavericks, Guard

Doncic had one of best season’s of his young career, leading the league in scoring (33.9), finishing third in the MVP voting, and authoring the signature moment of the regular season when he dropped 73 points against the Atlanta Hawks. It was the fourth-highest point total in NBA history and trails only Wilt Chamberlain (100 and 78) and Kobe Bryant (81).

Luka was the driving force behind the Mavericks’ impressive run to the NBA Finals. It was the franchise’s first appearance in the Finals since Dirk Nowitzki led them there in 2011.

But Doncic’s body couldn’t hold up through the entire playoff grind as he physically struggled down the stretch with a plethora of injuries. He received a pain-killing injection ahead of Game 2 in the Finals and played through much of the playoffs with a sprained knee.

Doncic didn’t make any excuses when he was asked about his ailments.

“It doesn’t matter if I was hurt, how much was I hurt,” he told reporters following Dallas’ 106-88 loss in Game 5 at TD Garden. “I was out there. I tried to play, but I didn’t do enough.”

Some of basketball’s greatest players, including Nowitzki, lost the first time they made the NBA Finals. Nowitzki lost to the Miami Heat in 2006, but learned from that loss and got over the hump in 2011. Doncic will certainly take the painful lessons from his Finals loss and learn from them when he gets another shot. He understands that he has to stop complaining to the referees, play better defense, and get in better shape.

2-JAYSON TATUM
Boston Celtics, Forward

Tatum let his emotions pour out after the Celtics won the NBA title. He understood what it meant for him being the face of a storied franchise. He can now join the table reserved for Celtics greats such as Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, Larry Bird, and Kevin Garnett. Winning an NBA title was a career-defining accomplishment for Tatum. “All the sacrifice was worth it,” he told reporters.

Tatum is generally known for his ability to put the ball in the basket. And he’s darn good at it. But critics were quick to point out his flaws after losing to Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals and to Jimmy Butler’s Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals. Many pundits started doubting Tatum’s ability to lead a team and be able to handle the pressure of being a superstar. Even Mavericks coach Jason Kidd took a swipe at Tatum by telling reporters that Jaylen Brown was the Celtics’ best player.

Tatum absorbed all the blows and kept on grinding. He added layers to game to become more of a complete player. His play-making skills were on full display during the 2024 NBA Finals. Despite struggling from the field (38.8%), he impacted the game in multiple ways. He led Boston in rebounds (7.8) and assists (7.2), and took on the challenge of defending his position as the team’s primary 4-man.

“I think he makes everyone’s life easier,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said about Tatum. “One because of who he is as a person, the type of character he has. I think your franchise player has to be a cornerstone of what you do. It starts with his high character, just the way he carries himself as a person, as a dad, as a teammate.”

Tatum may not have collected any hardware during the 2023-24 season, but doesn’t need trophies to prove his greatness. He was Boston’s best player all season, leading team in scoring (26.9) and rebounding (8.1). Tatum could have easily been named Eastern Conference finals MVP after averaging 30.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists in sweeping the Pacers. By comparison, Brown averaged 29.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

Tatum became the sixth player since 1980 to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists in the playoffs while winning a title. The other five were Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, and Nikola Jokic. That’s some pretty good company there.

And now, the No. 1 player in the world. Drum roll please . . .

1-NIKOLA JOKIC
Denver Nuggets, Center

Nikola Jokic has been so consistently brilliant that he could have easily been named MVP four straight years. The known as The Joker won his third regular-season MVP in four years, becoming just the ninth player in NBA history to win at least three MVPs, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Michael Jordan (five), Bill Russell (five), Wilt Chamberlain (four), LeBron James (four), Larry Bird (three), Magic Johnson (three) and Moses Malone (three).

Jokic ranked 10th in points (26.4), fourth in rebounds (12.4) and third in assists (9.0) while missing just three regular season games. He became the second player to have at least 2,000 points, 900 rebounds and 700 assists in a season, joining Oscar Robertson who pulled off the feat in 1962.

Behind the Serbian big man, the Denver Nuggets won 57 wins and earned the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. In a highly anticipated matchup against LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the first round of the playoffs, Nuggets eliminated the L.A. Lakers in five games with Jokic averaging nearly a triple-double (28.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, 9.8 points). The Jokic-Davis matchup pitted the league’s best offensive weapon against the league’s best defender. Even though the series went just five games, it shaved plenty of skin off the Nuggets.

In the conference semifinals, the Nuggets were stretched to the limit by the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves. The T-Wolves pulled off the improbable, winning Game 7 on Denver’s home court. Jokic did all he could to push the Nuggets forward, but he simply ran out of gas and got worn down by Minnesota’s trio of big men. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said his team looked “dead tired” and blamed fatigue for blowing a double-digit lead in Game 7 against the T-Wolves. The Nuggets’ starting unit of Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Jokic played 958 minutes together in the regular season. That’s more than any other five-man lineup in the last six NBA seasons.

Time will tell where Jokic will land on the list of the greats. If his career ended today, his legacy is secure and his spot in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is nearly guaranteed. He now wears the crown once held by Kareem, Russell, Wilt, Moses, Hakeem, Shaq, and Duncan as the game’s best and most dominant big man.

But Springfield can wait. The Joker still has plenty of greatness left in him, and he’s far from satisfied winning just one championship.

Christmas Day for basketball fans is the unofficial start of the “real season,” when contenders begin to separate themselves from the pretenders.

Seven of the top 10 teams and seven of the 10 best players in the NBA are playing on Christmas Day. There’s no shortage of star power when ABC starts its live marathon live coverage at noon ET.

But this year there’s major competition.

The NFL has a three-game slate on Dec. 25. Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers take on the Miami Dolphins at 1 p.m. ET followed by the Denver Broncos-L.A. Rams at 4:30 p.m. ET. The prime-time game at 8:20 p.m. ET features Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Arizona Cardinals.

Football is king when it comes to TV ratings, so the NBA will have to compete for viewers on a day when it usually owns the viewing audience. To help solve this viewing dilemma, OneManFastBreak.net has tagged three must-see NBA games. The other two games, well, let’s just say you’re fee to switch channel to the NFL games.

Must-see games
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks (noon ET, ABC/ESPN) — The Knicks enter Christmas Day as one of the hottest teams in the league. They’ve won eight in a row and now currently sit among the top six teams in the Eastern Conference. The offseason acquisition of point guard Jalen Brunson has solidified New York’s once shaky backcourt. Brunson is the perfect tough-as-nails leader head coach Tom Thibodeau has been seeking since his days with the Chicago Bulls. Brunson takes the pressure of forward Julius Randle and knows how to win close ballgames, which was a big problem last season. The Sixers have been coasting so far, but they still have MVP candidate Joel Embiid. When Embiid decides to take over a game, there are few people on planet Earth who can slow him down. Madison Square Garden will be rocking for this sexy matchup.

Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks (5 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN) — This could very well be a preview of the East finals. Both teams enter the colossal showdown with their full compliment of players. Khris Middleton, who missed last year’s playoff series with a knee injury, is starting to get back into shape. Middleton is the Robin to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Batman. The Celtics welcome back center Robert Williams, who was vital to their run to the NBA Finals last season. Jayson Tatum is enjoying an MVP season and his running mate, Jaylen Brown, is making a strong case to make the All-NBA squad. Celtics had owned the league’s best record until a rocky West Coast trip tripped them up and allowed the Bucks to gain ground in the standings. The Bucks’ game in Milwaukee starts at 5 p.m. ET, well after the kickoff for Packers-Dolphins game. Wisconsin fans will be able to watch their Packers and their Bucks on Christmas Day.

Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets (10:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN) — The Suns-Nuggets game is the last NBA game on the Christmas Day schedule. The first quarter of Suns-Nuggets might be a skip since most of us will be watching the end of the Buccaneers-Cardinals game when Brady leads the Bucs to victory over a depleted Cards squad. Once the NFL prime-time game is over, you can tune in to Suns-Nuggets. Both teams don’t like each other. During the 2021 playoffs, the Suns swept the Nuggets and Nikola Jokic was ejected in the clincher for a hard foul on Cameron Payne. Jokic and Devin Booker had to be separated after a heated exchange. Jokic’s brothers got involved in the bruhaha when they yelled at Booker from the stands. We could see fireworks again.

Skip these games
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN) — A once promising matchup turned into a sour showdown after reigning Finals MVP Steph Curry injured his left shoulder and will be sidelined for a few weeks. Without Curry, the Warriors are a shell of themselves. There’s some bad blood between the Grizzlies and Warriors, so this could have been spicy. The Dubs-Griz game will be going head-to-head with Bucs-Cards, and we all know America will always choose football over basketball. It’s OK. This game could get ugly, anyways.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks (2:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN) — Not even LeBron James and Luka Doncic can save this awful matchup. The Lakers won’t have All-Star Anthony Davis and the Mavericks are struggling to find four other guys to play with Doncic. If LeBron was playing Luka one-on-one, then this game actually be interesting. But as currently constructed, it’s a battle of two teams closer to the bottom of the conference.

The NBA’s 75th season kicked into high gear with three spectacular plays within a matter of days as the calendar flipped the page to 2022.

Memphis Grizzlies budding superstar Ja Morant is making a strong case for MVP, putting down his signature moment of the 2021-22 season with a two-handed block against the Los Angeles Lakers that defied the laws of physics. Morant has the Grizzlies firmly in the playoff race in the Western Conference and his unbelievable highlights are making Memphis relevant again.

Russell Westbrook’s L.A. homecoming hasn’t gone as well as many Lakers fans have hoped, but the veteran guard delivered a major statement on Jan. 17 MLK Day with an empathic dunk that shook up newly named Crypto.com Arena like an aftershock.

Klay Thompson made his triumphant return to the court on Jan. 9 after a nearly three-year absence due to two devastating injuries. Thompson being able to play basketball again is a minor miracle, considering he suffered an ACL tear during the 2019 NBA Finals and ruptured his Achilles tendon while rehabbing. Thompson scored 17 points in 20 minutes including two 3-pointers, but those numbers pale in comparison to the epic dunk he pulled off that blew the roof off Chase Center and blew up Twitter.

Check out the three best plays of the season, according to OMFB.

Ja goes above the rim for a two-hand block

What may be more impressive than Morant’s block was the way he hustled to get back on defense after turning the ball over. Instead of pouting and complaining to the officials, he sprinted back and erased his initial mistake.

The play started when Morant’s pass was deflected and intercepted by Lakers guard Avery Bradley. Bradley raced down the court and as he went up for a shot against a back-pedaling Desmond Bane, Morant suddenly came into the picture and snuffed the layup by using his 44-inch vertical. We’ve seen chase-down blocks before, many from big guys like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Morant is listed at 6-3. His head went past the rim and nearly hit the backboard.

“That’s probably the best block I’ve ever seen live,” Grizzlies forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr. told ESPN. “Probably the best block I’ve ever seen, period. That was crazy.”

Klay punches return ticket

Klay Thompson admitted is not a dunker. But when an opportunity to throw down a massive rim-rattler presented itself on his first night back after a 31-month layoff, he went for it. Thompson freed himself by crossing over Jarrett Allen above the 3-point line and challenging Lauri Markkanen and Lamar Stevens at the basket.

“I will never forget the reception that Warriors fans gave us, especially myself,” Thompson said about returning to the court after missing the entire 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.

“Gosh it was fun and it was worth every single day of being away and in that squat rack or on that shuttle board and all the conditioning days. It was worth every single moment,” Thompson added. “I am not going to say equivalent to winning a championship. But man, it was pretty freaking close.”

Thompson’s much-anticipated return is not only good for the Warriors, but it is great for basketball fans.

Westbrook jams on Gobert

Russell Westbrook has been the butt jokes on social media and opposing arenas, and the trolling has gotten so bad the league had to step in. During a road game in Sacramento, the Kings’ DJ kept playing Foreigner’s “Cold As Ice” each time Westbrook missed a shot. Even Westbrook thought it was funny. But he got the message.

Westbrook got some form of revenge on his trolls by authoring a vicious dunk over three-time NBA defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert.

Westbrook is now in his 14th year in the league and doesn’t have the same bounce he had when he was racking up triple-doubles during his MVP season in 2017. But Westbrook loves proving people wrong. He has done it his entire basketball career. His dunk over Gobert is another silencer to his critics — for now.

“People don’t just want me going down the paint and seeing if I still have my legs,” Westbrook said. “But I know what I’m capable of and know what I’m capable of doing on the floor. When the moment presented itself with being able to finish strong at the basket, it’s still something I can do.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo got a taste of championship champagne and now he wants more.

After leading the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA title since 1971, the two-time league MVP and newly minted 2021 NBA Finals MVP said he is not satisfied and has his sights set on repeating as champion.

“I’m not even close to being satisfied,” Antetokounmpo said. “As the leader of the team, that’s the tone I’m gonna set. We understand teams are coming for us. We’re gonna be ready.”

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have extra motivation because they’re not favored to win in the 2021-22 season. The Brooklyn Nets, the team the Bucks eliminated in the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals, are the betting favorites (+250) to win the title followed by the Lakers (+400), according to FanDuel. The Bucks have the third-best odds (+650) to win it all.

“We know we’re the 2021 NBA champs,” Giannis said. “But right now, we’re just the Milwaukee Bucks, and nobody believes in us. And nobody believes we can do it again.”

Antetokounmpo might be exaggerating a bit when he said “nobody” believes in the Bucks. There are many — including OneManFastBreak — who fear the deer. OMFB predicts the playoff order in the Western and Eastern conferences, including the eight teams in the play-in brackets.

EASTERN CONFERENCE (TOP 6)

1-Brooklyn Nets (projected record 59-23) — The Kyrie Irving anti-vaccine drama has sucked up much of the oxygen inside the Nets’ locker room this offseason, and a resolution can’t come soon enough. Irving’s availability is vital to the Nets’ title hopes, but it’s not a deal-breaker. With or without Kyrie, Steve Nash’s unit has the most potent offense in the NBA, ranking at the top or near it in points (119), field goal percentage (49.4), and 3-point shooting (39.2). As long as Kevin Durant and James Harden are healthy, Brooklyn will be the heavy favorite in the East.

2-Milwaukee Bucks (58-24) — The biggest challenge for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. will be how they deal with having targets on their backs every night. They now go from being the hunters to being the hunted. The Bucks lost defensive stopper P.J. Tucker to free agency, but the core of the 2021 championship team returns for head coach Mike Budenholzer. The Bucks brass brought back veteran guard George Hill, who will serve as a solid backup plan at point or shooting guard. And at the end of the day, the Bucks still have the Greek Freak.

3-Atlanta Hawks (50-32) — When Nate McMillan took over the helm, the Hawks took off. They became a completely different team. Trae Young blossomed into more of a traditional point guard under McMillan, shedding some of the wild shots he was known for during his first two seasons and becoming a true playmaker. Young took fewer shots per game (down from 20.8 to 17.7) but maintained his assists (9.4). Young’s ascent into elite status is crucial to how far the Hawks can go and prove to naysayers that last season’s playoff run wasn’t a fluke.

4-Miami Heat (49-33) — After taking a big step back last season following an NBA Finals appearance in the bubble, the Heat upgraded their point guard position by acquiring veteran Kyle Lowry. Lowry’s playmaking ability will fix some of the woes Miami had on offense, which at times became stagnant and reliant on Jimmy Butler. Fresh off a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics, Bam Adebayo came into camp in fantastic shape and added a face-up jumper. Tyler Herro looks to rebound after a disappointing sophomore season.

5-Philadelphia 76ers (48-34) — Awkward. That’s the status of the 76ers organization and All-Star forward Ben Simmons. Simmons wants out of Philly but Philly can’t find a deal that would satisfy both sides. Sixers president Daryl Morey and head coach Doc Rivers are put in an uncomfortable position. They must navigate through this Simmons mess while trying to contend for a title. Philly won’t be able to move forward until they figure out what to do with their petulant star.

6-New York Knicks (46-36) — Tom Thibodeau squeezed out every ounce of talent and energy from his squad last season and surprised many by finishing in the top four. New York was one of the best defensive teams in the league and forward Julius Randle elevated his game to All-Star level. But with every Thibodeau team, it’s extremely difficult to maintain this hard-charging style. Expect a drop-off this season.

PLAY-IN TEAMS

7-Chicago Bulls (43-39) — The Bulls added some nice pieces in the offseason and are now primed to make their first playoffs appearance in four seasons. The addition of point guard Lonzo Ball, forward DeMar DeRozan, and utility man Alex Caruso gives head coach Billy Donovan three solid pieces to fit with All-Star guard Zach LaVine. Ball was the big free-agent catch, signing a four-year, $85 million contract. LaVar Ball just keeps winning. Neva lost!

8-Charlotte Hornets (41-41) — Reigning NBA rookie of the year LaMelo Ball gave us a taste of what a Big Baller looks like and his basketball brilliance is making a once-moribund franchise into one of the most exciting teams in the league. You can almost hear LaVar Ball in the background saying, “I told you so!” Charlotte will have eight nationally televised games in 2021-22 and it’s all because of LaMelo.

9-Boston Celtics (40-42) — Ime Udoka, 44, takes over for Brad Stevens, who left the coaching bench after six seasons to become team president. Udoka’s first order of business is to fix the Celtics’ woeful ball movement (25th in assists). Celtics won’t have Kemba Walker to dump on as the 34-year-old guard packed his bags for New York after two underwhelming seasons in Boston. Udoka will lean heavily on forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Boston sorely missed Brown (injured wrist) in the playoffs, and his mere presence will open up the floor for Tatum.

10-Indiana Pacers (39-43) — Rick Carlisle is back at the helm in Indiana, replacing Nate Bjorkgren, who was let go after one season. This isn’t Carlisle’s first rodeo in Indiana. He was the Pacers head coach from 2003-07 and was Larry Bird’s top assistant for three seasons. Getting healthy will be the No. 1 priority for Carlisle’s crew, and he has a nice building block in big man Domantas Sabonis.

WESTERN CONFERENCE (TOP 6)

1-Phoenix Suns (56-26) — After finishing with the second-best regular-season record a year ago, the Suns are poised to make the jump as the No. 1 team in the West after coming within two wins of winning it all. Phoenix returns the same group that started the 2021 NBA Finals. Monty Williams is finally getting the recognition he deserves as one of the top coaches in the league. Deandre Ayton’s growth and development into an elite center elevated the Suns into a Western powerhouse. However, the Suns declined to give Ayton the max contract extension, which means 2021-22 is a prove-it-to-me-again season for the 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick.

2-Utah Jazz (55-27) — Utah finished with the best record in the conference last season but bowed out in the second round of the postseason, leaving a bad taste in the mouths of Donovan Mitchell and Co. If Mitchell wants to be considered among the 10 best players in the league, he has to expand his game. Scoring comes easy for Mitchell. What the Jazz need is a playmaker who can create shots for others. Mitchell believes he is up to the task.

3-Golden State Warriors (51-31) — Steph Curry is coming off one of his best seasons, which says a lot considering he’s a two-time league MVP with three championship rings. Warriors general manager Bob Myers calls Curry “a generational player who has changed the game and won consistently at the highest level.” Curry should get his Splash Brother back this season. Klay Thompson hasn’t played in two years coming off ACL and Achilles’ tear surgeries. His return will provide the boost the Dubs need to make a postseason run.

4-Denver Nuggets (50-32) — The Nuggets opened up the vault and gave Michael Porter Jr. ($172 million) and Aaron Gordon ($92 million) massive contracts. MPJ has a huge upside and has shown flashes of becoming a superstar. The Nuggets need MPJ to reach his immense potential and become an All-Star if Denver is going to overtake the Suns, Jazz, and Lakers.

5-Memphis Grizzlies (46-36) — The grit-and-grind style is back in Memphis, and head coach Taylor Jenkins seems to have found the right blend of gritty players to play with flashy point guard Ja Morant. Morant is one of the most dynamic players in the league and the Grizzlies could win their division as long as Ja stays healthy. Dillon Brooks and Kyle Anderson are tough, versatile wing players who don’t mind doing the dirty work. Former Oklahoma City center Steven Adams was brought in to add more muscle to the Memphis frontcourt.

6-Los Angeles Lakers (45-37) — Much has been said about the Lakers having the oldest roster in the NBA, with nine players over the age of 32. LeBron James turns 37 and enters his 19th season. LeBron said he doesn’t want to hear about minutes restrictions. Anthony Davis holds the key to the Lakers’ season. The often-injured All-Star forward has never played more than 75 games in a season, and his last healthy full season came in 2020 when L.A. a title in the Orlando bubble. Davis needs to have an MVP-type season in order for the Lakers to raise their 18th championship banner.

PLAY-IN TEAMS

7-Dallas Mavericks (44-34) — Jason Kidd returns to Dallas to replace Rick Carlisle as Mavs coach. The first order of business for Kidd is to find a way to reduce first-team All-NBA superstar Luka Doncic’s usage rate without sacrificing all the wonderful things Luka brings to the court. The second order of business for Kidd is to find a way to light a fire in Kristaps Porzingis, who has been nonexistent in the last two seasons.

8-Los Angeles Clippers (43-39) — Paul George said he’s ready to be the No. 1 guy while Kawhi Leonard recovers from a partially torn ACL. PG13 shut down his haters with a solid postseason, turning into Playoff P and carrying the Clips into the conference finals before being eliminated by Phoenix. The Clippers re-signed Reggie Jackson to a two-year deal, believing his 2021 playoff performance wasn’t a fluke.

9-Portland Trail Blazers (42-40) — Damian Lillard felt that last season’s roster wasn’t good enough to win a championship. What did the Blazers do? They brought back the same core that lost in the first round. Instead of retooling the roster, the Blazers fired longtime coach Terry Stotts and replaced him with Chauncey Billups. Lillard is giving Billups one season to show what he can do.

10-Sacramento Kings (40-42) — This could be the year when the Kings finally brought the franchise’s 15-year playoff drought. Luke Walton is entering his third season as coach, and it could be his final one if the Kings miss the playoffs. Sacramento upgraded its defense by drafting Baylor stopper Davion “Off Night” Mitchell to help improve one of the worst perimeter defensive units in the league.

Steph Curry and the Warriors are lapping — and laughing at — the field. (AP)

Let’s cut to the chase. The Golden State Warriors are going to win the 2016-17 NBA title. About the only drama left in this year’s postseason is whether or not these Super Warriors will drop a game on their way to their second championship in three years.

Sorry, LeBron. Your reign as King of The Land is over. Time to hand over the crown to the boys from Bay.

The Warriors flashed their greatness in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs. After a long layoff and missing their head coach, Steve Kerr, the Warriors got out of the games slow. They were sloppy. They were rusty. And they fell behind by 25 points. Yet, they won thanks to 40 points from Steph Curry and 34 from Kevin Durant. After being held to 42 points in the first half, the Warriors exploded like a ballistic missile in the second half and finished with 113 points. A truly remarkable turnaround that should scare and discourage the remaining playoff teams. The Warriors played their C game and still won, remaining perfect in the postseason. They clearly have their sights set on the 2001 L.A. Lakers’ 15-1 playoff record.

“They [the Spurs] came out and challenged us heavy, put a nice little run together,” Curry said after the game. “It took us a minute to figure it out to get up to that game speed after this little break.”

Notice Curry kept saying “little.” The Spurs made a “nice little run” to take advantage of the Dubs, who were coming off their “little break.” San Antonio, despite a near-perfect half, never had a chance. Curry and Co. are a confident bunch. And they should be. Once they found their groove it was lights out.

With a healthy Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs have “little” chance to win beat the Dubs. With Kawhi hobbled by a bum ankle, the Spurs have no shot.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise, though. The Warriors should have started getting fitted with their championship rings last summer when Kevin Durant decided to leave his Thunder buddy, Russell Westbrook, and join the team that won a record 73 games. It’s like Batman joining the Avengers. You’re talking about an MVP in KD joining a squad that already boasts a two-time MVP in Curry. Both at the height of their powers. Then you add two more studs in Klay Thompson and Draymond Green — both arguably among the top 15 players in the NBA — and you basically have the greatest collection of talent in the basketball universe. It is almost unfair. A competitive advantage no team has enjoyed throughout history.

With Curry and Thompson, the Warriors have the two best shooters in basketball history. Add Durant — a multiple scoring champ — to the mix and you have an unguardable unit. You won’t find a better offensive unit. Oh, by the way. The Warriors are also armed with two elite defenders in Draymond and Andre Iguodala. Yikes!

Game. Set. Match.

If LeBron James can win two games against these Dubs, he should get a statue at every NBA arena. These Warriors are insanely good. When the final confetti drops at Oracle Arena after the Dubs are crowned NBA champs, we’ll be comparing them to the all-time great teams. These Warriors are no longer just chasing down a championship. They’re chasing down history.

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry form a formidable 1-2 punch in Golden State. (GETTY IMAGES)

Last year more than half of the NBA general managers got it right by picking the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the Larry O’Brien trophy. This year, an overwhelming number of general managers are predicting that the Golden State Warriors are winning it all in June.

The annual NBA GM survey shows 69 percent of pro basketball’s decision-makers are taking the Warriors over Cavs in the Finals. And why not.

With the acquisition of Kevin Durant during the offseason, the Warriors now boast four of the top 10 players in the league. This is a franchise that won a record 73 games last season and came within one groin of winning back-to-back NBA titles.

They have two former MVPs in Durant and Stephen Curry, arguably the best two-way player in the league in Klay Thompson, and a top-flight power forward in Draymond Green.

To say that the Warriors are the favorites to win the title this season would be like saying Drake has a shot at dating someone like Rihanna. It’s a lock!

Let’s be real here. Nobody can beat these Warriors. It would be a monumental upset if that were to happen. It would be equivalent to the men’s USA Basketball squad losing in the Olympics or FIBA World Cup. They’re that good and that loaded. They just added the third-best player in the world to their roster to play with the second-best player in the world. This doesn’t even happen in fantasy basketball.

You can review basketball history and won’t find a roster with two MVPs at the height of their powers playing alongside each other. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was at the tail end of his career when he hooked up with Magic Johnson. Wilt Chamberlain was no longer in his prime when he played with Jerry West. And Kobe Bryant was in his early 20s when he teamed up with Shaquille O’Neal.

The Warriors will cruise through the regular season and barely break a sweat securing the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. A lesson learned from a season ago is that regular-season records don’t matter if you don’t win the chip. Once the playoffs arrive, expect these Dubs to go into overdrive and obliterate the competition, including LeBron James’ Cavaliers.

In the words of Clubber Lang, prediction for teams playing the Warriors this season is … pain!

Shaquille O’Neal’s No. 34 jersey was retired by the Lakers. (GETTY IMAGES)

Shaquille O’Neal officially announced his retirement on June 1, 2011, and it took the Los Angeles Lakers just two years to honor The Diesel by raising his No. 34 jersey in the rafters at Staples Center on April 2, 2013. In classic Shaq fashion, he gave Lakers fans one thundering messaged: “Can you dig it!”

In a video post on Tout.com in 2011, Shaq said: “We did it. 19 years baby. I want to thank you very much. That’s why I’m telling you first. I’m about to retire. Love you. Talk to you soon.”

Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass, in 2016. The Diesel headlined the 10-member class that included Philadelphia 76ers great Allen Iverson, Chinese superstar Yao Ming, WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes, longtime Michigan State coach Tom Izzo and NBA executive Jerry Reinsdorf.

O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion and three-time Finals MVP, was one of the NBA’s most popular stars for what he did both on and off the court. Shaq was the most dominant big man of his era, and arguably one of the 10 best centers of all time. To honor the man with more nicknames than Apollo Creed, and arguably one of the five greatest centers in basketball, here are his 19 greatest moments for each of his 19 seasons. His glorious and colorful career brought many great highlights in Orlando, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, Cleveland, and Boston. He won four NBA championships, three NBA Finals MVPs, one regular season MVP and countless outlandish one-liners. A look at his most memorable moments:

19) One of Shaq’s best attributes was his quick wit. He got a kick out of giving everyone nicknames, from teammates to opponents. He gave Paul Pierce the nickname “The Truth”; he was responsible for Dwyane Wade’s “Flash” moniker; and he tagged Tim Duncan “The Big Fundamental.” He also gave Kobe Bryant a nickname, but unfortunately we can’t publish it.

18) As a rookie in 1992-93, O’Neal brought the house down – literally – in Phoenix when he pulled down the entire basket stanchion on a follow-up dunk against Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns. It was Shaq’s coming-out-party since the game was on national TV and the NBA was dying to showcase a young bright star in case Michael Jordan retires and decides to play baseball. In the same season, the legend of Shaq grew even bigger when he shattered a backboard in New Jersey with the force of his dunk, and the shot clock clipped him on the head.

17) Shaq won the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1992-93 season, helping turn the Magic into one of the biggest draws in the league. With Shaq front and center, Orlando went from a 21-win team to a 41-win team.

16) Who could forget Neon Boudeaux? OK, his performance in “Blue Chips” probably wasn’t Oscar-worthy but it pretty much summarized Shaq’s basketball career. It lacked substance at times, there were some bright moments, but overall it was extremely entertaining. “Kazaam!” and “Steel” on the other hand, were simply atrocious. Sorry, Shaq.

15) The Magic won the lottery again in 1994, trading the pick for guard Penny Hardaway. Shaq and Penny formed one of the best tandems in the league and, even though their union was short-lived, it brought the Magic to new heights, winning 50 games in 1993-94 and reaching the NBA Finals in 1995.

14) The best part about those Lakers championships during the Shaq-Kobe era was the postseason celebration. Nobody can get a crowd going better than The Big Entertainer. His rendition of “It Takes Two” in 2001 before 250,000 Laker fans gathered in front of Staples Center was easily the best championship parade in the history of parades. To cap things off, Lakers forward Mark Madsen did his little dance routine (or whatever he was doing) that left everyone in a frenzy.

13) Much has been written and said on how Hakeem Olajuwon “destroyed” Shaq in the ’95 Finals. Statistically speaking, The Diesel averaged 28 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 2.5 blocks, while Olajuwon averaged 32 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks in the Rockets’ four-game sweep. Sounds like a stalemate in terms of the one-on-one matchup. Just to show there were no hard feelings between the two big men, Shaq and Hakeem shot a Taco Bell commercial in the offseason. Watching the two of them ride a tandem bike was hilarious.

12) The highlight of the 2009 All-Star game in Phoenix was The Big Cactus taking the stage and performing a dance routine with “America’s Best Dance Crew” Jabbawockeez during the pre-game festivities.

11) As a member of Team USA’s dominant 1995 World Championship team in Toronto (also known as Dream Team II), O’Neal was named MVP of the tournament despite not playing heavy minutes. He also starred on the United States Olympic basketball team that won the gold medal in the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta.

10) On March 6, 2000, Shaq celebrated his birthday with a bang! Prior to the game against the Clippers, Shaq was upset the Clippers (the home team for that night at Staples) didn’t provide him with enough tickets. He unleashed his anger on the Clippers by dropping 61 points.

9) Before LeBron James’ much-publicized “Decision” in 2010, there was “Shaq Goes to Hollywood” free-agent saga in the summer of ’96. Thanks to the bright mind of L.A. Lakers general manager Jerry West, the balance of power in the league shifted from the East Coast to the West Coast when O’Neal signed a record-setting $120-million contract to move to L.A., and then the Lakers traded for 18-year-old high school phenom Kobe Bryant on draft night. It was the beginning of the Shaq-Kobe dynasty.

8) Game 7 in Sacramento in 2002 will go down in history as one of the best playoff games in NBA history. The Lakers and Kings played an epic overtime game at Arco Arena, with the Laker prevailing and advancing to the NBA Finals. But after the game, Shaq topped his on-court performance with an off-the-court, impromptu rap dedicated to Vladic Divac. Watch and listen:

7) After being traded to the Miami Heat in summer of 2004, Shaq promised Miami fans that he’ll bring a championship to South Beach. Two years later, that promised was fulfilled as O’Neal and D-Wade led the Heat, coached by the great Pat Riley, past Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in the 2006 NBA Finals.

6) Shaq was named one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players of all time in 1997 despite having played in only five seasons. The recognition was debated by some basketball experts, but basketball writer Peter Vecsey defended the selection, arguing that O’Neal belongs in the conversation and was already well on his way to becoming one of the dominant players the league has ever seen. As usual, Vecsey was right.

5) The Diesel was extra motivated to play the 76ers in the 2001 NBA Finals because he was going up against Defensive Player of the Year Dikembe Mutombo, who likes to throw his signature finger-wag each time he stuffs his opponent. Shaq never dunked the ball harder in his life during the 2001 Finals, and dropped a few devastating elbows toward Mt. Mutombo’s chest and face. There was one play in which Shaq lifted Mutombo off his feet and exploded for a one-hand slam, showing his awesome power and agility. The Lakers rolled to their second consecutive NBA title, losing only one game in the playoffs. O’Neal captured his second Finals MVP trophy. He averaged 33 points, 16 rebounds and 3.4 blocks against a Sixer squad led by 2001 MVP Allen Iverson.

4) A young 260-pound Shaq exploded onto the basketball scene when he rocked the 1989 McDonald’s High School All-American game with one ferocious coast-to-coast slam dunk. It certainly got a huge rise out of ESPN’s Dick Vitale, who said during the telecast: “Oh! Oh! Oh! I can’t believe! I can’t believe it! That’s a 7-footer!” That play launched a two-decade basketball career is certainly worthy of a spot in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. O’Neal went on to star at LSU for three years before being drafted No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic in 1992. He finished his NBA career with 28,596 points and shot 58% from the field, both marks are in the top five.

3) Shaq loved the whole Superman persona, and he finally fulfilled his kryptonian side when he pieced together one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history in 1999-2000 when he was named regular season MVP (near unanimous choice), All-Star Game MVP and NBA Finals MVP in leading the Lakers to their first NBA title since 1988. In the Lakers’ six-game series win over the Pacers in The Finals, O’Neal posted some jaw-dropping numbers: 45 minutes per game, 38 points, 16.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks. During his acceptance speech for winning the regular season MVP, Shaq told the media that he would like to be referred to as The Big Aristotle.

2) The Lakers needed a fantastic finish to cap their stunning comeback in Game 7 of 2000 Western Conference finals against the Portland Trail Blazers and Kobe and Shaq provided that moment. Kobe dribbled to the top of the arc, crossed over Scottie Pippen, and drove to the hoop. Kobe floated a perfect lob pass that only O’Neal and his massive 7-foot-1 frame can reach. The alley-oop dunk punctuated the Lakers’ furious rally and ignited a run of three consecutive NBA championships.

1) Shaquille O’Neal showcased his talent as an entertainer and proved that he’s more than just a basketball talent when he appeared in a music video with the rap group Fu-Schnickens in the early 1990s. It was not only the birth of Shaq Fu, but it was also the beginning of a successful career that went above and beyond the game of basketball. It was a glimpse of what was to come for the next two decades. He was the first professional athlete to cross over to the rap game and be accepted as a true hip-hop artist and not just a novelty act. Shaq appeared with Fu-Schnickens on “The Arsenio Hall Show” in 1992, and from that point on he never stopped being an entertainer. O’Neal released four albums, including “Shaq Diesel” which went platinum. Shaquille’s popularity extends outside of sports. He is a successful entrepreneur, music and film star, and his larger-than-life personality that can lift up an entire planet. He is a true global icon.

Click here to read the best quotes from Shaquille O’Neal

Joel Huerto is the editor and publisher of OneManFastBreak.net. Follow him on Twitter at: twitter.com/onemanfastbreak.

Stephen Curry and Harrison Barnes ended Golden State’s title drought in 2015. (GETTY IMAGES)

There are 30 teams in the NBA, but realistically speaking there are only a handful of teams capable of hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy.

If you’re a fan of the Sixers, Kings, Lakers, Nuggets, Nets and Hornets, it’s probably safe to book that reservation to Las Vegas or the Caribbean in June.

Sure there are plenty of contenders for the championship, such as the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls. But these teams have major questions that’ll ultimately lead to their downfall during the knockout stages.

The Rockets are a wonderful offensive team, but can they make enough stops on the defensive end when it counts? The Grizzlies are a fantastic defensive team, but can they score enough points? The Hawks have a well-balanced team, but do they have that superstar to close out games? The Bulls have all the pieces to win in the playoffs, but can Rose stay injury free?

OneManFastbreak.net examines the five teams, in no particular order, with the best shot at winning the 2015-16 NBA championship.

Cleveland Cavaliers — LeBron James came within two games of ending Cleveland’s decades-long title drought. LeBron posted historic numbers during the NBA Finals, but even his superhuman effort wasn’t enough to beat the Golden State Warriors. LeBron is more than capable of lifting a team to the Finals, especially in the weak Eastern Conference, but he needs help to finish the job. The Cavaliers have the roster to compete for a title. The only roadblock at this point is health. Kevin Love missed nearly the entire playoffs because of shoulder injury, and the Finals might have had a different result had Kyrie Irving not gotten hurt on a freak knee-on-knee collision with Klay Thompson. Love appears to be healthy, while Irving is on schedule to return in January (or sooner). The Cavs have one goal in mind and that’s win a title, and Las Vegas oddsmakers love the Cavs this season. Anything less than The Chip would be a major disappointment.

Golden State Warriors — The Warriors had one of the greatest seasons in NBA history. They finished the 2014-15 regular season with the best record. Stephen Curry was named the league MVP. And the Dubs capped off their storybook season by capturing the franchise’s first NBA title since 1975. Steve Kerr made this coaching gig look real easy by expertly navigating his team through the playoffs without a hitch in his rookie season. His second season, however, if off to a rough beginning. Kerr has taken a leave of absence after undergoing back surgery during the summer.

Steve Kerr won a title in his first season as coach. (GETTY IMAGES)

Luke Walton takes over as the interim coach, and he’ll be tasked with the keeping the ship on course until Kerr returns. Walton shouldn’t have too much to worry about because the Warriors still have the best roster in basketball. Curry and Thompson are now walking around with championship swagger, and Draymond Green is $82 million rich after inking a five-year deal. Until someone knocks them out, the Warriors are wearing the championship belts and the road to the title goes through the Bay Area.

San Antonio Spurs — Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford pulled off the biggest stunner during the offseason when they acquired the top prize in the free-agent market. LaMarcus Aldridge’s arrival in San Antonio opens up two avenues. The Spurs hop back on the fast lane to the NBA Finals and it also sets them up nicely in the future when Tim Duncan decides to hang up the sneakers for good. Duncan turns 40 next April, but he doesn’t look like a guy who is ready to dip into his retirement savings. The Big Fundamental signed a two-year extension for a modest $10.4 million. That’s quite a major discount for a first-ballot Hall of Famer and arguably one of the 10 greatest players in the history of basketball. It just shows Duncan’s commitment to winning. He may not be the player he was 10 years ago, but he’s still a very effective player on both ends and remains the heart and soul of the Spurs.

Oklahoma City Thunder — If there is anyone who has something to prove this season it’s Kevin Durant. After playing in a career-low 27 games in 2014-15, the man with the Twitter handle @kdtrey5 is on a mission to show the world he’s back to reclaim his most valuable player status. Durant’s return only bolsters an already formidable Thunder lineup. KD and Russell Westbrook form the best 1-2 scoring punch in the league, two unstoppable scoring champs who can take over a game at any moment. The challenge for first-year coach Billy Donovan is to find a way to unload some of the burden off KD and Westbrook, something former coach Scott Brooks wasn’t able to do. Donovan, an accomplished college coach, made two smart moves after his hiring. He brought in Maurice Cheeks and Monty Williams as assistant coaches, and he’ll lean on those two as he adjusts to the rigors of an 82-game NBA schedule. The Thunder’s title hopes largely depend on how quickly Donovan can convince Durant and Westbrook to buy into his program.

Los Angeles Clippers — The Clips went from title contender to borderline playoff team then back to being title contenders in one bizarre week in early July. The DeAndre Jordan drama that unfolded during the free-agency period was something straight out of an episode of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” Once the L.A. smog cleared up, Jordan remained a Clipper and the Dallas Mavericks must have felt like a jilted GF. With Jordan back in the fold, the Clippers have what it takes to compete for a championship. They also added big-game performer Paul Pierce to help fix some of the problems that has plagued the team the last two postseasons, such as blowing leads in the fourth quarter. The window of opportunity for Chris Paul is closing fast. It’s now or never for the All-Star point guard, who has never reached the conference finals in his career. CP3 and the Clips hope to put up a real banner at Staples Center instead of those ridiculous giant selfies.

LeBron James was an all-state receiver at St. Vincent-St. Mary.

Basketball players have been referred to as the greatest athletes in the world. In the NBA, you see superbly conditioned athletes soar to the basket and throw down rim-rattling dunks or muscle past two or three defenders. Sometimes we marvel so much at these super beings that we, as fans, wonder how pro basketball players would do in another realm, such as pro football.

With the return of the NFL season, I thought it would interesting to put together a football team comprised of current pro basketball players. Who knows? Some of these guys may consider this crazy idea and ditch the round ball in favor of the pigskin. I’m sure NFL general managers would love to have any of these guys on their roster. This concept has been written in the past, but not in the context where each basketball player is assigned a football position. So, without further ado, here is my 25-man, NBA-inspired gridiron gang:

QUARTERBACK

Kevin Durant (6-9, 235)

— If Allen Iverson was still in the Association this would be an easy choice. Iverson was an all-state quarterback in high school and was considered a Michael Vick-type talent in the state of Virginia. But since A.I. is currently out of the NBA the next best option is Kevin Durant. You may wonder why we’re going with KD over skilled passers such as Chris Paul or Rajon Rondo. Durant may not possessed your prototypical quarterback, but he’s a terrific athlete who has shown in the past that he can sling the football. If you recall, during the NBA lockout, Durant flashed his QB skills in a pick-up flag football game. We have visual evidence.

When K.D. asked a bunch of Oklahoma State students in Stillwater, Okla., if he could play in their flag football game because he was bored during the NBA lockout, one of the students asked Durant if he could catch a football. Durant replied, “Are you for real?” Durant may not seem imposing but he’s quick and explosive, and he’s got arms like Mr. Fantastic. The scouting report on Durant would be something like this: has great size to oversee the defense, decent arm strength to get the ball down the field, can elude rushers with his agility, able to make plays when the pocket collapses. Mel Kiper Jr. would have given him a B+ and a second-round grade.

RUNNING BACKS

Derrick Rose (6-1, 190)

— Legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno said he knew Curt Warner could play running back for him after watching him in a pickup basketball game. Paterno says if you can run, plant, cut, and change direction quickly on the basketball court then you can play running back on the football field. In terms of changing gears without skipping a beat, very few players in the world can match the Chicago Bulls’ superstar guard.

Deron Williams (6-2, 209)

— Williams attended The Colony High School in Texas, and we all know football is king in the state of Texas. D-Will was also a highly touted wrestler as a youngster, so he is no stranger to using leverage and doesn’t shy away from contact. At 209 pounds, Williams could be a very capable tailback in the NFL.

TIGHT END

LeBron James (6-8, 255)

— The tight end position is where basketball players seem to have the most success on the football field. Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham and Tony Gonzalez were power forwards in college before they were drafted as tight ends in the NFL. LeBron was an all-state wide receiver at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio, but he would be better suited at tight end because he would be an absolute nightmare to cover for any linebacker or safety. James has phenomenal quickness for a man his size. He could realistically play any position on the field. He’s big enough to play outside linebacker and he’s fast enough to be a safety. He could also play quarterback if needed. As a tight end, LeBron will be able to utilize his 255-pound frame to block and set the edges. And when it’s time to score in the red zone, LeBron and his 44-inch vertical leap could outjump any defensive back in the end zone. LeBron scored 27 touchdowns in two seasons for St. Vincent-St. Mary. “I think LeBron could come in and do better than Antonio Gates,” said former All-Pro NFL receiver Randy Moss. “LeBron James is the athlete that comes around every so often.”

WIDE RECEIVERS

Matt Barnes (6-7, 226)

— The forward was a former all-state wide receiver at Del Campo High School (Calif.) so he can definitely play the position. Barnes is a tough player who doesn’t mind getting dirty. He should be a perfect candidate to go over the middle and catch passes in tight zones. Barnes may not be Hines Ward in terms of blocking, but he’ll irritate the heck out of the opposing defensive backs.

Russell Westbrook (6-3, 190)

–Westbrook is considered one of the fastest players in basketball, and he could certainly give NFL speedster DeSean Jackson a run for his money in the 40-yard dash. The ultra-quick Oklahoma City guard can cover a lot of ground, making him an ideal candidate to be the deep threat on offense. One of Westbrook’s greatest strength is his passion for the game. Football is all about raw emotion, and few NBA players play with more raw emotion than Russ. With Durant playing quarterback on our fantasy squad, it makes sense to have his Oklahoma City teammate to be his primary target.

KICK RETURNER

Darren Collison (6-0, 160)

— The point guard is an absolute blur on the court, able to change gears without losing any speed. Collison can thank his parents for his sprinter’s speed as both were former elite track runners from Guyana.  If it were not for his undying devotion to the game of basketball, Collison easily could have been running track instead of running point.

KICKER

Kobe Bryant (6-6, 205)

— We all know Kobe played soccer when he was in Italy. He follows the sport religiously and has, on more than one occasion, displayed his soccer skills on the pitch. NFL kickers are all soccer-style kickers. Given enough practice and proper technique, Kobe should be able to pick up the nuances of kicking field goals. Kobe is a perfectionist, so if this challenge was presented in front of him he will attack it like a Black Mamba. Because so many football games are won or lost with last-second field goals, who better to put in clutch situations than Kobe Bryant.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Al Horford (6-10, 245)

Kevin Love (6-10, 260)

Kendrick Perkins (6-10, 275)

Zach Randolph (6-9, 260)

Marc Gasol (7-1, 270)

— Blocking in football is similar to setting screens in basketball, except when you use both hands on a screen you’ll get called for a foul. All five of the players mentioned above can all set good picks. But more importantly, each player plays with a bit of a nasty streak, which comes in handy when you need to get a first down on fourth-and-1. Atlanta Hawks center/forward Al Horford could anchor the line at center because he’s likely agile enough to handle the position. We all known center Kendrick Perkins has a nasty streak, and that should translate well on the football field. Power forward Kevin Love, who led the NBA in rebounding in 2010-11, has good size and extremely good hands, which will help him grab an oncoming speed rusher. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph are arguably the best center-power forward tandem in the NBA and they certainly don’t mind playing in the trenches. Having these two play on one side of the offensive line bring familiarity, continuity and physicality.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Glen Davis (6-8, 295)

— Can’t think of a better anchor on defensive line than Clippers power forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis, who has always bragged that he could play in the NFL. Who’s gonna argue with a 295-pound man? Not me. But Davis’ claim is not a stretch. He was a terrific two-way football player at University Laboratory High School in Baton Rouge, starring at defensive end, defensive tackle and tailback. Yes, tailback! He scored 15 touchdowns his junior year in high school so he could be a tremendous goal-line back. But Big Baby hung up his cleats for good when he received a basketball scholarship from LSU. Big Baby shows great agility for a 295-pound (ahem, roughly) athlete. Watch:

DeAndre Jordan (6-11, 265)

— DeAndre Jordan is front Texas, and we all know football is king in the state. Jordan has the size and quickness to be a great edge rusher. And in terms of hand-eye coordination, Jordan could give Houston Texans stud J.J. Watt a run for his money.

Dwight Howard (6-11, 265)

— The Orlando Magic all-star center has the size, strength and agility that would make any defensive line coach drool. Howard’s freakish athleticism is suited at defensive end. He can rush the passer and, using his 40-inch vertical leap, bat down any ball that comes his way. He would be absolutely intimidating if he could only wipe that big smile off his face.

Joakim Noah (6-11, 240)

— Joakim Noah could play defensive end because of his great motor. Noah, a former Defensive Player of the Year in the NBA, has earned the reputation as being one of the toughest competitors in basketball. So, all that effort and energy should bode well on the football field.

LINEBACKERS

Metta World Peace (6-7, 250)

— In building a defense, you start with a nasty, punch-you-in-the-mouth middle linebacker. With that in mind, can you name anyone crazier than the player formerly known as Ron Artest? I think not. There is absolutely nothing peaceful about Metta World Peace, who calls his record label TruWarier. He definitely fits the part of a middle backer. Metta, who is currently playing in China, has his sights set on a possible return to the Association.

Kenneth Faried (6-8, 228)

— When your nickname is the Manimal you’re a perfect fit to play outside linebacker. Faried’s greatest asset is his motor. He plays hard on every play and doesn’t shy away from physical play. Those are two absolute necessities to play linebacker. That should translate well on the football field because Faried can play sideline to sideline and be a disruptive force.

Blake Griffin (6-10, 250)

— Few can match Blake Griffin in terms of speed and power. Griffin is a gifted athlete who has earned a reputation as one of basketball’s best dunkers. We won’t need Blake to thrown down dunks. Instead, we’ll need him to throw down quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers.

CORNERBACKS

Nate Robinson (5-8, 200)

— Nate the Great is the only player on this entire list who actually play college football. Robinson played point guard in basketball and cornerback in football for the University of Washington. Robinson is a physically gifted athlete who can run all day and is built like granite. He is such a well-conditioned athlete that he could probably be a good two-way player.

Robinson’s reputation as a football stud didn’t get lost with Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, who invited him to Seahawks camp in 2011. Robinson didn’t show up, but he may have to revisit that offer once his basketball career is over.

Tony Allen (6-4, 213)

— Grizzlies guard Tony Allen is one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the NBA and could transition into a solid man-to-man cover corner. In 2005, Allen was charged with aggravated battery stemming from an altercation outside a restaurant in Chicago. Police charges? Battery? Altercation? Sounds like Allen has a little bit of Pacman Jones in him.

SAFETIES

Kawhi Leonard (6-7, 230)

— Can you imagine Kawhi playing safety in the NFL? He can run with any receiver. He can lock down any tight end or running back. And he’s got massive hands. If a pass comes his way, you know Kawhi won’t drop a sure interception.

Dwyane Wade (6-4, 220)

— Before he became a full-time hoopster, Wade played wide receiver and defensive back for high school football powerhouse Richards High in Oak Lawn, Ill. Wade has the size to make plays at the line of scrimmage, and he can certainly outjump and outrun a lot of NFL receivers and tight ends. Wade grew up watching the Chicago Bears as a youth so you know he’s familiar with the Monsters of the Midway.

PUNTER

Manu Ginobili (6-6, 205)

— Manu Ginobili is a native of Argentina, so you know he played soccer as a youngster. Manu may arguably be the second-greatest athlete from Argentina, behind only soccer great Lionel Messi. Ginobili can also be a field-goal kicker, but since we already have Kobe at kicker, Manu will have to channel his inner Ray Guy.

There you have it. A 25-man football team comprised of current NBA players. Since Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen owns the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Seahawks, he is the right man to sign the checks for this fantasy football team.

Joel Huerto is the editor and publisher of OneManFastBreak.net. Follow him on Twitter @onemanfastbreak.

KIA and the NBA, it’s a dynamic duo on and off the court. And as the NBA reaches its midseason point with the culmination of the 2015 NBA All-Star Game this Sunday at Madison Square Garden in New York City, it’s nice to look back at the partnership.

“When it comes to basketball, we love it all,” KIA said on their website. “We love the camaraderie, the history, the athleticism, the speed, and the crowd roaring after a big win. We’re honored to be associated with this incredible game because, just like you, we’re fans, too.”

KIA’s Partnership with the Association

The NBA and KIA announced last fall a new multiyear extension of their marketing partnership, which began in 2008. Throughout the partnership, KIA has helped the league engage fans across additional innovative programming, advertisements, and sweepstakes during the season.

“As one of KIA’s longest-running partnerships, our involvement with the NBA and teams has driven dramatic increases in consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand, and we are excited to extend our partnership and continue connecting with the league and its passionate fans,” Tim Chaney, Vice President of Marketing Communications for KIA, said.

KIA and the Spurs

In fact, KIA has partnered up with 14 of the clubs in the NBA and perhaps none is bigger than their sponsorship of our very own San Antonio Spurs. Spurs forward Tim Duncan, who is making his 15th appearance at the all-star game, will have a chance to win the KIA NBA All-Star MVP award. KIA is also the official automotive partner for the game.

Last month, the Spurs Silver Dancers posed for photos, that World Car produced for downloadable wallpapers, with the KIA Optima, the official vehicle of the NBA. The vehicle is engineered with technologically advanced features like blind-spot detection, LED front fog lamps, and the UVO parking minder.

A Car Fit for a King

KIA is also recognized as the official luxury vehicle of the NBA, following the recent introduction of the brand’s modern and elegant K900 rear-drive luxury sedan. Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James has signed on to be the car’s ambassador.

“I was a Kia K900 driver and fan before we decided to become partners, so I’m really excited to be KIA’s first-ever luxury ambassador,” James said. “This partnership is about the power of great style and performance. KIA and the K900 are out to challenge conventional wisdom and show people how to think differently and I can relate to that. For me, a partnership has to be authentic and real to who I am, and that’s what makes this one so special.”

There may even by KIA K900 King James Edition in the very near future!

As the years go by, it seems that the partnership will continue to grow and the NBA will even present the KIA NBA Performance Awards at seasons end. The awards will be voted on by the fans.

“KIA is deeply integrated into the NBA experience year round – from KIA NBA Tip-Off, NBA All-Star, the monthly and season-ending performance awards and the WNBA – through a variety of unique content offerings and promotions,” said Emilio Collins, NBA Executive Vice President, Global Marketing Partnerships.

This article first appeared on the World Car Kia Blog.